Protecting yourself 和 others from respiratory illness

Dear Skidmore Students, 

The Centers for Disease Control 和 Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance regarding how people can protect themselves 和 others from respiratory illnesses, 包括COVID-19. We are writing to clarify the new guidance 和 provide information on how to seek support if you are concerned about illness 和 protect yourself 和 others from respiratory infections like flu, RSV, 和 COVID-19. 

What to do if you get COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms: The new CDC guidance recommends that everyone with a respiratory illness (包括COVID-19) stay home while they are 生病的. You can return to regular activities once: 

1. You have been fever-free for 24 hours without using fever-reducing medications; 和 
2. Your symptoms are improving, meaning that you feel well enough to return to your daily routine 和 any remaining symptoms are mild. 

Once you resume regular activities (like returning to class), it is very important that you continue to wear a mask around others for another full five days, as well as take other precautions to protect others, including frequent h和 washing 和 maintaining distance from others. 

Medical support if you are 生病的: Please reach out to 卫生服务 if you are concerned about your health at any time. 你可以提交 appointment request form online 和 a triage nurse will get back to you during business hours (9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.). If you have COVID-19 和 an ongoing medical condition that puts you at risk for severe symptoms or complications, you may be eligible for an antiviral medication called Paxlovid, which can be prescribed by a provider in 卫生服务. If you believe you would benefit from Paxlovid, please contact Health Services by calling 518-580-5550.

测试: COVID-19 tests will remain available to students through the outside Jonsson Tower parking lot window of Campus Safety for the rest of the semester. 你受到了鼓励 to test if you are symptomatic or if you are concerned about exposure, but you are no longer required to report positive COVID-19 tests to the College. 

生病时吃饭: If you are on a meal plan, you can request “to-go” meals by submitting a request through the 餐饮服务 webpage. You can also give your ID to a friend, who can bring the completed to-go request form to 餐饮服务 和 your meal back to you. 

Absences from class because of illness: If you are 生病的 和 need to miss class, you should notify your faculty members before missing class 和 develop a plan for how to make up the missed time. 学院将 not be notifying faculty members about absences related to COVID-19, or any other 疾病类型. 

Wishing you a safe 和 healthy week. 

真诚地, 
Skidmore 卫生服务